Automatic grain-weigher



(No Model.)

T. J. UNDERWOOD. AUTOMATIC GRAIN WEIGHER.

No. 411,763. Patented Sept. 24, 1889'.

Aw x I NVENTO 41 5, J. UN DERWOOD N. PETERS. mu-uuw wn wnnin mn D. C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. UNDERYVOOD, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN-WEIGHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,763, datedSeptember 24, 1889.

Application filed October 8, 1888- Serial No. 287,568. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. UNDERVVOOD, a resident of the city ofDecatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Automatic Grain-WVeighers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a side elevation of my weigher. Fig. 2 is a side elevationof the weighing-bucket and cut-01f bucket. Fig. 3 represents the weighton the scale-beam, the latter appearing in cross-section.

A represents the elevator that raises grain to the weigher.

B is a removable cap for the elevator and the weigher.

a is the weighing-bucket compartment.

a. is the cut-ofi bucket compartment.

1) and c are stops that limit the swing of the door of theweighing-bucket.

d and c are stops that limit the swing of the door of the cut-ott'bucket.

f is a bracket that acts through rod 9 as a i stop for scale-beam h.

h is an upwardly-projecting extension of the scale-beam, which providesa point of connection for rod g.

t is the pivot of the weighing-bucket.

k is the pivot of the cut-01f bucket.

Zis a lever that fulcrums on the pivot of the cut-off bucket andconnects through rod with scale-beam h. The lever has an extension on,that projects beyond the fulcrum and connects with the arm to of thecut-oif bucket. (Seen clearly in Fig. 2.)

0 is one of a pair of brackets, thatsecures the weigher to the elevator.

p is a pin on the door of the cut-off bucket, that strikes against stopscl and e to limit the swing of the door.

q is a pin that performs a similar function for the door of theweighing-bucket by striking projections 17 and c.

r is the cut-0E bucket, held by straps u a",

straps h, that are formed of continuations of the scale-beam.

y is the door of the weighing=bucket,which is carried by straps a; andpivoted through said straps at point ,e on the bucket.

1 is a recurved bar that carries weight 2. The weight has verticaladjustment on the bar, and is secured in any desired position ofadjustment by set-screw 6.

The block 3 is slotted to receive the scalebeam, and has a dovetailgroove or its equivalent at right angles to the beam to receive an endof bar 1. The bar has a stop 4, that limits its downward motion in theblock, and it passes outside. the scale-beam and retains the same. Vhenthe block is adjusted in its proper position on the scale-beam, it issecured from disadjustment by set screw 5. The opposite side of thedevice is practically a duplicate of the side shown, and the parts ofthe buckets, &c., that extend from side to side are indicated by brokenlines.

A register to indicate the number of discharges is to be connected withthe weigher in some suitable and effective manner.

As shown in the drawings, the weighingbucket is in condition to receivegrain. \Vhen a quantity suflicient to tip the scale-beam has 8caccumulated, the outer end of the weighing bucket swings downward andthe cut -otf bucket is swung upward by the action of the scale-beamimparted through rod 12, leverZ m, and arm "a. As the motion iscontinued the bucket of the cutoff is closed, and immediately after thedoor of the weighing-bucket is opened by pin (1 striking against stop 0.The weighing-bucket swings from its fulcrum as it descends, thusincreasing its momentum, 0 and the momentum is further accelerated bythe swing of the weight, which, from its ele vated position, passestoward or over the fulcrum with great rapidity. WVhen theweighing-bucket is in condition to discharge its con- 5 tents, thescale-beam so nearly approaches the vertical that the weight will passthe fulcrum and tend to hold all the parts in their newly-acquiredpositions. This tendency is soon overcome by the accumulation of grainin the cut-01f bucket and the shown position is reassumed.

All the connections between the buckets are positive and permanent.

The rod n is bolted to the scale-beam and to lever Z. Extension m is apart of lever Z, and arm u is secured to extension m by bolts or otherunyielding fastenings.

The bucket a" inclines the grain toward the outer end of theweighing-bucket with the effect that when there is a heavy flow of grainit will be carried to the bucket at a point farther from the pivot, andthe beam will tip with a less quantity of grain than when the flow islighter. This expedient is necessitated by the fact that grain fallingfrom the cutroif when the same has been closed cannot be accounted for,and that the quantity so falling must vary with the flow of grain. Sowhen the flow is light the grain falls nearly vertically, the weighingis very nearly accurate, and there is a very small quantity of grain inthe air between the outofi and weighing-bucket t-o aifect the result. Onthe other hand, when the flow is heavy the grain falls obliquely towardthe outer end of the weighing-bucket, the beam trips with a light load,and the result is equalized by the greater quantity of grain in the airbelow the cut-off at the instant the beam trips. The weight isadjustable on its bar in order that the time of the retention of theweighing-bucket in its discharging position may be regulated. It isdesirable that the position should be maintained until the discharge iscompletely effected, and no longer. Should the position be too longmaintained, the weight must be lowered; if not long enough, it must beraised.

I claim 1. In automatic grain-scales, in combination, weighing-bucket w,rigidly secured to the scale-beam and having door y, pivoted at z,cut-01f bucket 1-, having door 8, pivoted at t, rod 'n, connecting thescale-beam with the cut-01f bucket, projections 19 and g on the cutofibucket and weighing-bucket, respectively, and stops 0 andd, to open thedoors by limiting the downward swing of the project-ions, as and for thepurpose set forth.

2. In automatic grain-scales, in combination,weighing-bucket w, securedtothe scalebeam and having door y, cutofif bucket 1', having door 3 andarm 11, lever l m, fulcrumed on the pivot of the cut-0d bucket andsecured at one end to arm u, and rod n, connecting the scale-beam withlever l m,- as and for the purpose set forth. v

3. In combination, a weighing-bucket secured to a scale-beam, and avertical bar adjus'table on the beam and carrying avertically-adjustable weight, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

THOMAS J. UNDERWOOD.

Attest:

I. D. WALKER, L. P. GRAHAM.

